When I first adopted my Border Collie Barley, he ducked away from petting. He wasn’t abused or shy – but he was hand-shy. He didn’t like petting and seemed to …
How to Remove Burrs, Stickers, and Dreadlocks from Your Dog
Barley and I spend a lot of time hiking, trail running, and generally having the times of our lives on the trails of North and Central America. Since he’s a …
Shaping a Behavior: Dog Training Using Successive Approximations
Dog training using successive approximations, commonly called shaping, is my favorite way to teach dogs a new behavior. This training method was pioneered by B.F. Skinner, and it’s one of …
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I think dog training is a blast – and that means I’m often bad about doing it systematically. Since my goal for 2019 is to be more deliberate about everything …
23 Best Puzzle Toys for (Bored) Energetic Dogs
Energetic dogs can be a lot of work. I get it – I live with a Border Collie and I’ve fostered German Shepherds, Huskies, and American Bulldogs. Even though I …
How Do I Get My Dog to Listen Without Treats?
One of the first questions my clients ask me when they realize that I train using treats is, “But how do I get my dog to listen without treats?” It’s …
The “Can You Listen When…?” Game Teaches Your Dog to Ignore Distractions
Teaching your dog to listen around distractions is one of the hardest parts of dog training. It’s also one of my favorite parts! Trainers call this process proofing. I created …
5 Tips to Have a Successful Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in my family is always barely-controlled chaos. The whole family packs into the home that was passed from my grandparents to my aunt. Most years, there’s probably 20 adults, …
Are Dog Treats Bribery? Do Treats Make My Dog Beg or Only Listen When I’ve Got Food?
There is a common misconception that if you use treats to train your dog, that you are just using bribery. Or, that your dog will ONLY do what is asked …
The Ultimate Dog Trainer Gifts Guide: Trainer-Approved Gifts for Dog Nuts
Dog trainers do their job because they love dogs, not because they expect gifts, riches, or fame. But if your dog trainer has made a huge difference in your pup’s …